Coffin-protector



(No Model.)`

D. D. SIVIUCKER.

GOFFIN PROTECTOR. A No. 507,763. Patented Oct. 31, 1893.

Wa'zzgm:

NITED STATES PATENT DAVID D. SMUCKER, OF WEST LIBERTY, OHIO.

COFFIN-PROTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 507,763, dated October31, 1893.

Application tiled March 11, 1893. Serial No. 465.660. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID D. SMUCKER, a citizen of the United States,and aresident of West Liberty, in the county of Logan and- State ofOhio, have invented a new and useful Coffin-Protector, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful device for protecting coftinsand burial caskets from water where graves are dug in soil permeatedwith water.

Figure l is a cross section through the box and protector, showing thecoffin in eleva tion. Fig. 2 is a broken perspective of the box andprotector, showing the coffin inclosed.

The object of my device is to provide a simple, cheap, non-corrosivecover for coftins that can be readily inclosed in the usual cofiin box,and which will prevent water that percolates into agrave, from coming incontact with the coffin, and which will permit the escape of gases whichmay be formed within the cover.

My device consists of a case D suitable for slipping into the ordinarycoffin box A, and capable of covering the coffin O, when in the box, andextending farther down in the box than the coflin does.

The case or protector shown is about rectangular, with the upper cornersrounded, and is provided on top with handles h. The case will conform inageneral way to the shape of the coffin or casket, but must be longer,wider, and deeper than said coffin.

My case is made of zinc or other non-corrosive material, and on the topand sides and ends is made perfectly air and water tight.

The bottom of my case is-open but reinforced or stiften ed as by astrengthening band c', near the bottom edge to preserve its shape.

The coflin box is of the ordinary style in use, but on the inside on thebottom b has a series of cleats or supports B, extending only part wayacross the box, and sufficiently distant from each side to allow mycover or protector D to slip down between them and the sides of the box.As the edge of the cover rests on the bottom of the box, and the coverprotector.

is held down merely by its weight, should the shield become filled withgases (owing to the decomposition ot' the body in the coffin) the excessof such gases may escape from under the lower edge of the cover. Thecoffin and rough box are not usually air tight, and will permit theescape of gases through the joints.

In operation, when the coffin box has been lowered into the grave, thecoffin is lowered into it, and rests on the cleats B. The cover orprotector D is then lowered into position until its edges rest upon thefioor or bottom of the box. The coffin C, resting on the cleat B, issupported some distance above the bottom of the box, and above the edgesof the Should any water accumulate in the grave, and get into the coffinbox, it may rise on the outside of the cover until it covers its top,but the air in the protector prevents the water arising therein, and thecot'- n on the elevated cleats is kept dry and uninjured.

I do not wish to cover the old principle of preventing water fromarising in an inverted air tight vessel, but the application of it to anew use, by means of my appliances.

I am aware that Gaskets and preserving cases have been known in which anair tight coffin cover has been made to inclose a coffin, and the samecemented to a bottom slab, making an air tight box or inclosing casing.I claim nothing of the kind, as my preserving case is purposely leftopen at thebottom.

The combination with a coflin and the usual inclosing box, of supportsby which the coffin is held above the bottom of said box, and aprotector or casing, closed air tight as to its sides and top and openat the bottom, and extending over the top and sides of the cof- [in andhaving its edges resting on the bottom of the box below the level of thebottom of the coffin, substantially as described.

DAv'ID D. sMUoKER.

At test E. K. CAMPBELL,- NED CAMPBELL.

